Croatia thrash Germany to open European Water Polo Champs

BUDAPEST, 14 January 2020 – Croatia has opened the 2020 Men’s European Water Polo Championship with a comfortable victory over Germany on Tuesday.

Croatia, who won bronze at the last Euro champs, came from behind to win 17-9.

Germany would open the scoring and it would take Croatia 7 minutes before Josip Vrilic levelled the score 1-1. Germany scored again to make it 2-1 and that is how the low-scoring first quarter would end.

(Photo: HVS)

Goals to Andro Buslje and two to Lovre Milos gave Croatia the lead in the match for the first time midway through the second quarter. Croatia extended the lead and ended the second quarter 7-4 up.

(Photo: HVS)

Buslje made it 8-4 early in the third quarter as Croatia began to take control of the match. Further goals to Ante Vukicevic, Loren Fatovic and Luka Bukic saw Croatia end the third quarter ahead 13-5. Germany fought back with some late goals to narrow the deficit but in the end it was a comfortable first up win after the slow start.

(Photo: HVS)

(Photo: HVS)

The 34th edition of the European Championships is being held at the Danube Arena in Budapest and in Croatia’s group along with Germany are Montenegro and Slovakia. Croatia face Montenegro next up on Thursday.

(Photo: HVS)

Croatia warmed up for the tournament with a 3-0 series victory over Australia in Sydney.